[SampleMan]

I'm curious, given how wealth and caste are interrelated, how an untouchable child became a warrior or a merchant, and how many low-life noble children actually found themselves in a low caste.

There is a difference between pointing out caste mobility between castes at comparable social levels and a truly open system.

[little jeremiah]

The brahmans were traditionally often poor, and the ideal was that if they did accumulate wealth, to use it in service of God. If I had time which unfortunately I don’t have tonight, I could cite texts or examples. I could dig some up tomorrow.

I have no idea what you mean by a “truly open system”. Like the US?

An example from recent history, merely 500 years ago. There was a governor of I believe what is now part of the state of Madras. He was born in the sudra varna, which is the lowest of the four; laborers, those who hire themselves to others, and other duties. He became the governor. And then he gave it up to become a sadhu - basically like a monk; which is actually considered “higher” than a brahman. All because of his personal qualities and behavior.